Your Body

Your uterus is a little bigger than the size of a soccer ball. The top of your uterus can be felt about halfway between your belly button and the bottom of your sternum. Because of your size, you probably cannot move around as gracefully as before.

Your hair may look full and lustrous than ever. You are not growing more hair; the hair you shed is just staying on for a longer period! You may also notice darker or thicker body hair, which returns to normal in the weeks after you give birth.

Your Baby

Your baby is now about 220 mm long and weighs close to 700 grams. If she was a fruit, she'd be a grapefruit.

Your baby now has fully formed fingers and toe nails and her eyes should open anytime now. The ears are fully functional. The brain is also growing rapidly. The hair is more recognisable now in colour and texture but may change after birth. The now well-proportioned body puts on baby fat.

Your baby's first meconium stool has been formed in the large intestine and will be excreted in the days to follow. The skin begins to smooth out and lose its wrinkles.

Get Tested

• Blood test to check for anaemia

Common Complications

• The skin on your stomach is stretched and this may result in itching, which is normal. However, if this is persistent, it may be pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy, a common pregnancy skin condition. Rarely it may also be associated with a serious liver condition.

          So, consult a skin specialist at the earliest.

It is okay if…

• Your muscles cramp. Your enlarging uterus may cause cramps in your abdomen and legs.

Stay Fit

• If you have an exercise schedule, use common sense and don't work out when you are feeling tired. Stop if you feel any pain or when you begin to feel fatigued, dizzy or short of breath.

Special Care Tips

• You may experience increasing bouts of painful heartburn. Avoid fatty and fried foods and eat small, frequent meals. Avoid laying down right after eating. Talk to your doctor about antacids before self-medicating.
  
  
• Don't lie on your back for too long or do any exercise where you are likely to lose your balance.